Eh , but the days when I was young and Phelan's Molly would none of me —
And little blame to herself, God knows, for I was the moon-struck calf,
Blushin' up to me hair I was times she'd be havin' her fun of me,
And me heart the like of a rushin' wave to be breakin' against her laugh!

Faith, I went in misery, and sorrow walked beside me,
Yet here's the truth I'm tellin' you — I'd give me ease today
To feel the heart-thrust in me for all that love denied me,
For 'tis better to be in love and sad than be merry when pipers play.

Eh, but the days when I was young and for all I laugh at the thought of it,
Of the times I went like a crazy thing and the nights that I lay awake!
Little I guessed I'd know today the wisdom that last I bought of it —
'Tis unhappier far to be old and at ease than to sorrow for loving's sake.

Glad enough am I today that Molly would have none of me,
(And she three years the older one the time you come to think.)
But here's the truth I'm owing her since age has had the run of me —
'Tis better to be unhappy in love than merry with fiddles and drink!